WATCH: Lewis Hamilton's narrow overtake leaves Carlos Sainz fuming during Spanish Grand Prix

In the heat of the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, a dramatic moment unfolded on lap 19 as Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz Jr. engaged in a fierce battle for sixth place. The incident, which saw Hamilton's Mercedes W15 squeeze Sainz's Ferrari SF-24 at Turn 1, left Sainz questioning the FIA's consistency in applying race regulations.

As Hamilton attempted to overtake, his car edged Sainz off the track. Despite the apparent infringement, the FIA decided not to investigate the incident, a decision that baffled the Ferrari driver. Reflecting on the manoeuvre, Sainz expressed his frustration: “I felt like he ran me off the track, and I was half a car length ahead,” he remarked. “Normally, the rule this year says that if you’re ahead around the outside, they need to give you space.”

Here is Lewis Hamilton’s narrow pass:

Hamilton and Sainz touch! Hamilton gets the place!#SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/WH9kEDaGPU

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) June 23, 2024

Sainz’s comments highlight the contentious nature of the FIA's rulings on track position. The general rule, as understood by drivers, is that the car with the majority ahead at the apex of a corner should be given space by the trailing car. When this rule is perceived to be ignored, it often leads to disputes over fairness and consistency.

Here is Carlos Sainz’s frustrated radio comments:

“I don’t understand why there’s a rule book, and we don’t follow it” - Carlos Sainz#SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/ATjifcTtA2

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) June 23, 2024

Immediately after the incident, Carlos Sainz communicated with his race engineer, urging them to check with the stewards. When informed that no further action would be taken, Sainz was visibly frustrated, stating, “I don’t understand why there’s a rulebook, and we don’t follow it.” This sentiment of confusion and disappointment lingered throughout the remainder of the race.

Not a good weekend for Carlos Sainz in Spain

Post-race, Sainz refrained from outright criticizing Hamilton's aggressive racing style. Instead, he emphasized his desire for consistent application of the rules: “I’m just trying to apply the rules that the stewards have applied all season long.” The incident was just one of many challenges in a difficult race for the hometown hero.

Despite Ferrari's efforts to fast-track performance upgrades, Sainz's car struggled with proposing issues, compromising his performance through Barcelona’s high-speed corners. He qualified sixth and ultimately finished in the same position, a result that mirrored his encounter with teammate Charles Leclerc early in the race.